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While travel agents can get discount rates by bulk booking, you can have a more cost-effective and personalised vacation by taking a bit of time to compare prices and by planning your trip yourself. Besides the cost, group tours usually mean that you trek off with your fellow citizens or other tourists. Ironically, that means less contact with local people. But when going it alone, do your homework and plan carefully.
2. Book online
Booking online can be cheaper than working with a travel agent. This, however, is not always the case. For instance, beware
of sites that don't show links to hotel web
sites. Often these sites charge you an extra
fee and you could in fact pay less by booking directly through the hotel or airline.
Compare prices and shop around.
3. Book in advance
Book as soon as you know your travel dates.
Airlines give discounts for early bookings
at least 21 days in advance. Advance booking rates also apply to trains and hotels.
For instance, the Eurostar offers a
significantly reduced price for bookings made more than 14 days in
advance. Some UK hotels also
offer a 10 percent discount for
advanced reservations.
4. Be spontaneous
Accommodation
and train fare
often cost less
if reserved in
advance, but the reverse can also be true. Be
open to last minute travel offers, which are
sometimes significantly reduced.
5. Be flexible
Accommodation costs skyrocket in the peak
season, especially in prime destinations. Remember that the peak season differs around
the world. Making reservations a few days
or even weeks out of the peak season can reduce costs significantly. Transport prices also
depend on demand, so early morning or late
night travel, or a minimum number of nights
in your destination country guarantee more
affordable transport rates.
6. Embrace inconvenience
Inconvenience can be profitable. Book yourself
onto full flights and arrive up to two hours
before the flight. Be the first in the check-in
line and volunteer to place yourself on the
bump list. Ask what compensation you will
receive. Usually you will get cash, hotel and
meal vouchers, depending on the airline.
Even if you end up flying on your original
flight after all, you usually get some kind of
compensation.
7. Discount programmes
Airlines, car hire and hotel companies offer
loyalty cards and programmes. Some credit
cards and corporations have special discounts
with certain airlines and car rental companies. Transport and museum discounts are
also available for senior citizens, students or
anyone under 26. If you are unaware of these
discount programmes, you could lose out.
8. Museum and transport passes
Most continents, countries and cities offer trans-national rail,
museum and city transport passes, which are available at Official
Tourist Offices and Train Stations. These passes offer savings, if
you are actually going to see several museums and use the trans-
port lines covered by the pass.
9. Eat smart
While food is relatively inexpensive in some countries, it can
cost more than your accommodation in others. Always read-
up on this before you go. You should also look out for travel
deals with some or all meals included and consider self-catering
accommodation.
Some general eating tips<
10. Go the bed and breakfast or self-catering route
B&Bs and self-catering accommodation are a first choice for
many travellers. In addition to personalised service and a
unique atmosphere, B&Bs offer the opportunity to get close to
a country's actual culture. They are also usually better value for
money than hotels. Moreover, price is not a trade-off for quality. B&Bs and self-catering accommodation are normally rated
by quality grading systems, enabling you to choose from basic
to luxury accommodation.
In addition, self-catering accommodation can save you
money on your food budget and you can get reductions for
stays longer than three nights or a week.
Some basic B&B tips
11. Exchange homes
This is probably one of travel's best-kept
secrets. Not surprisingly, home exchanges
have grown in popularity with the burgeoning of the Internet and increased
global travel.
If this concept is new to you, you are
probably thinking, 'Strangers in my home;
I don't think so, 'but why not give the idea
a second thought?
Firstly, home exchange can completely
eliminate the cost of accommodation and
car rental. Secondly, most home exchangers are just like you: financially successful and established
family-orientated professionals who respect the property of
others and are looking for comfortable accommodation.
For international exchanges
12. Camp or caravan
Does the idea of camping conjure up images of dirt, dishes and
shared toilets? In Europe and the USA, camping can be surprisingly comfortable.
Camping sites in Europe and the US also offer self-catering
bungalows and cabins with various star ratings in a complex
with swimming pool and other facilities. This option is great
fun for the family.
13. Go on a working holiday
Office temping, bar work, fruit picking, or working at a
ski lodge, theme park or nature reserve for less than three
months can get you a vacation in the US, Australia, Canada, or
Europe. And, of course, you can get a Working Holiday Visa in
the UK for up to two years if you are between 17 and 27. But
if you're looking for intellectual work, professional opportunities also abound.
Where to look for work
Image: Angie Lazàro/ Fairlady magazine
